CaroMont Regional Medical Center Celebrates the Grand Re-Opening of
New and Improved Emergency Department
On Wednesday, October 26, CaroMont Health held a ribbon cutting to celebrate
the completion of the $24 million, 30,000-square foot Emergency Department
(ED) renovation and expansion project at CaroMont Regional Medical Center
in Gastonia. Designated a Level 3 Trauma Center, the newly-designed ED
will enhance emergency and trauma care capabilities and transform the
way patients receive emergency medical treatment.
“This is a major milestone, not only is this our 70th anniversary, but this project signifies our continued growth and commitment
as a health system,” said Doug Luckett, President and CEO at CaroMont
Health. “This is a culmination of more than two years of planning
and designing an improved emergency care space that will provide more
room and privacy, and ultimately, better care delivery for patients.”
Responding to the Need
CaroMont Regional’s ED serves nearly 100,000 patients annually from
all over the Gaston County and surrounding communities making it one of
the busiest emergency departments in North Carolina. In response to this
growing need and to continue to enhance emergency medicine offerings in
the county, CaroMont broke ground nearly two years ago to begin the first
of seven renovation and expansion phases.
“When we started this project, our goal was not only to provide additional
space for our growing patient population, but to also introduce new and
innovative care models to improve patient care and experience,”
said Kathleen Besson, Chief Operating Officer at CaroMont Health. “As
we do with all our new construction projects, and as we did with the Emergency
Department in Mount Holly, we researched what hospitals and health systems
across the country were doing, and we encouraged our staff and leaders
to help design the space with one goal in mind – create an environment
where our medical team can provide the best care and experience possible.”
The new ED represents the largest restoration project at CaroMont Regional
since 2004, adding 10,000 additional square feet to the existing department,
as well as 20,000 square feet of administrative space. CaroMont’s
team of board-certified emergency medicine physicians, nurses, physician
assistants and clinical staff are better able to offer patients every
advantage in life-saving emergency care in a family-friendly, state-of-the-art
space 24 hours a day.
Features of the new ED include:
- An expanded entrance with convenient patient drop-off, ample parking areas
and semi-controlled access.
- Separate adult and pediatric treatment and waiting areas, including a separate
Pediatric ED and Results Lounge
- Larger and more efficient triage intake area and four consultation rooms.
- Updated patient rooms with added privacy and comfort.
- On-site laboratory and Imaging Suite comprised of computed tomography (CT)
equipment to help expedite patient care.
- Convenient ambulance bay and drive-through garage.
Innovative Care Model
Similar to a split-flow model, a process that is designed to get the sickest
patients seen quickly and to facilitate the care of those who are less
ill, patients are assessed more quickly and often wait for consultation
without having to enter the core of the ED. Also new to the facility is
the Results Lounge, a unique area of the ED that provides non-urgent patients
a more comfortable and private experience as they await test results and
final discharge. The space includes two consultation rooms and registration
area, and can accommodate up to 30 patients at one time.
Pediatric Care Center
Additionally, children who require emergency care now have a dedicated
area just for them, another important feature to support this new innovative
care model. With more than 13,000 pediatric patients (birth through 17
years of age) seeking care at CaroMont Regional’s ED each year,
the Albert G. Myers, Jr. Pediatric Care Center provides an environment
that is especially designed for the care of pediatric patients and the
comfort of their families.
“Children require very specialized care—they need a tender
touch, a kind voice and that reassuring smile, and they need to be treated
by specialists who know how to care for their unique needs,” said
Ellen Davis, MD and Chairman of the Pediatric Care Center Planning Committee.
“The Albert G. Myers, Jr. Pediatric Care Center reflects this philosophy
by offering patients and their families a developmentally-appropriate
care experience in a family-centered environment.”
The Pediatric Care Center is comprised of an Emergency and Urgent Care
department, a pediatric psychiatry unit and an inpatient/observation unit
for patients requiring admission to the hospital. Striking contrast to
the former pediatric rooms, the new inpatient areas offer children and
their families larger, more comfortable rooms with showers and handicap
access. All areas in the Pediatric Care Center have controlled access
and are separate from the adult population, allowing medical staff to
provide specialized attention.
“One term we use for leaders in pediatrics is ‘Pediatric Champion’,”
said Davis. “The Myers Family and all who have supported the Albert
G. Myers, Jr. Pediatric Care Center, truly exemplify that term."